PPL 1.01 and 1.02, and 5.01

Over the last 2 days, I attended the 2B subjects PPL1.01, 5.01 (session 8) and PPL 1.02 the following day, in this order.

5.01 was passed but not without a gentle reminder from the instructor. My performance on that night was less than satisfactory and he is certain I will not pass the 5.02 evaluation, and I agree. I was that much more nervous that particular night. Not because it was my first time riding in the night, but because I will pillion someone later at this lesson. His life will be my hands, almost literally. But it was not that bad but more on that later.

Session 8 (peak rate) turns out be better than day sessions, for me. Its much cooler and there are less learners in the circuit. The traffic is a bit like session 1 but at better temperatures and a more manageable timing. I am a morning person but rushing for that 7.30am without coffee is not a great idea. Plus I could actually see that 30km/h indicator in front of the bike lighting up clearly. Useful especially when I do the E-brake stretch.

U-turn was simple enough once you master the 1st-gear-half-clutch.

Pillion riding was an experience but we only need to do it for the general riding tracks in the circuit. At the end of the lesson, few of us were thinking we had to pillion each other and go through narrow plank and pylons and the S and crank courses. But of course we were glad we do not need to.

So 5.01 is something like an RC with U-turn and pillion thrown in. So the focus was not as much on passing the circuit items (although you are expected to already) but more on whether you can do U-turn and experience pillion riding. The instructor passed me with some hesitation and strongly recommends that I do some RCs before attempting 5.02. But I guess we should do RCs for good measure anyway because we all can use more experience in riding. For the school, it means more $$ but I can appreciate that because I do not want to waste too much time and or money on 5.02.

PPL 1.01 covered some videos to drive home the point the need for defensive riding. More of this in PPL 1.02 but also at the end, there was a chance to use the simulator. Was not fun and was not realistic at all. But we all could see the point, and that is not to take things for granted.

Reason I did 3 subjects within 2 days was, PPL slots are less often compared to 5.01. So I made a point to book PPL and work my schedule around it. PPL 1.02 (and even 1.03 but I could not attend) was available the following day and so I went ahead. However, if you know you will not be attempting 5.02 just yet (like me), then there is no need to rush them through. 5.02 + BTT pass are needed to get PDL.

BTW, why isn't that called PRL for Class 2B?